Social organisations face particular challenges when it comes to financing their important social tasks. In addition to the familiar Broadcasting licence fees of 6.12 euros per month for public welfare organisations often also include GEMA fees which can place an additional burden on the budget.
What are institutions for the common good?
As Institutions for the common good are non-profit organisations that fulfil important social tasks. These include
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Non-profit organisations for people with disabilities (homes, workshops, training centres)
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Youth welfare facilities in accordance with the Child and Youth Welfare Act
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Elderly care facilities and nursing homes
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Facilities for addicts and non-sedentary
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Registered non-profit organisations and foundations
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Public schools and state-recognised alternative schools
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Fire brigade, police, armed forces and disaster control
These facilities pay the Broadcasting licence fee only a reduced rate of 6.12 euros per business premises per month - regardless of the number of employees.
GEMA fees for social organisations: When do they apply?
Social institutions must also GEMA fees if they use copyrighted music in public. This concerns:
Events and functions
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Summer parties and anniversary celebrations of the facility
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Dance events for residents or clients
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Concerts with live music or DJ
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Karaoke evenings in common rooms
Therapeutic and educational applications
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Music therapy with works protected by copyright
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Relaxation music in therapy rooms
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Background music in lounge and communal areas
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Movement therapy with music
Digital utilisation
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Websites with music integration
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Online events and webinars
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Social media of the facility
Example of costs: GEMA fees for a summer party
A Old people's home organises a summer party at 300 square metres with 3 Euro entrance fee. According to the GEMA tariff U-V, the following costs are incurred:
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Basic fee for 300 square metres: 80.10 euros
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Surcharge for entrance fee over 1.69 Euro: 24.30 Euro
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Total costs: 104.40 Euro GEMA fees
For smaller organisations with limited budgets, such costs can represent a considerable burden.
Savings potential and discounts for social organisations
Utilise GEMA discounts
Social institutions can be supported by various estates benefit:
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15 % Discount for cultural, social or religious events without economic objectives
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10 % Discount for charity events (with complete waiver of fees)
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Flat-rate contracts from the eleventh event with a 10 % discount
GEMA-free music as an alternative
A particularly effective solution is offered by GEMA-free music. This refers to compositions for which no rights have been granted by the GEMA The author may not be able to exercise his rights because he is not a GEMA member or manages the rights himself.
Important noteGEMA-free does not mean free of charge. The rights of use must still be acquired directly from the composer or via specialised providers. The advantage, however, lies in the significantly more favourable licence fees.
sonicsense: Professional solutions for social institutions
sonicsense offers social institutions customised music solutions that are both GEMA-liable as well as GEMA-free channels include:
GEMA-free premium channels
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Over 30 individually combinable channels with thousands of titles by international artists
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Professional curation for therapeutic and social applications
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Regular updates and new content
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Up to 100 % savings the GEMA costs
Technical features for everyday use
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Multi-zone control for various areas (therapy rooms, common rooms, outdoor areas)
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Time-controlled programmes for daily routines
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Volume control depending on use
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Offline functionality in case of internet failure
GEMA administration and consulting
For organisations that continue to GEMA-liable music want to use, sonicsense takes over:
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Complete GEMA communication and administration
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Tariff optimisation and advice on potential savings
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Documentation of all music usage
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Negotiation for additional claims
Get non-binding advice now and find out how your organisation can save on music costs.
Legal certainty for AI-generated music
Many providers advertise with AI-generated GEMA-free music as a cost-effective alternative. But be careful: AI music still has some important Legal uncertainties on authorship and liability. Collecting societies are increasingly demanding the disclosure of AI algorithms in order to check whether protected works have been used as a basis for training.
For social organisations that rely on Legal certainty If you are reliant on a curated catalogue with demonstrably clear licensing structures, it is therefore advisable to use them.
Practical implementation: step by step
1. inventory
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Recording of all areas with music use
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Documentation current GEMA contracts and costs
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Analysis of the savings potential
2. consulting and planning
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Personalised advice by sonicsense experts
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Selection suitable music channels for different applications
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Technical planning the installation
3. installation and training
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Simple installation the sonicPRO- or sonicEASY-systems
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Training of the employees in the service
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Test of all functions and areas
Conclusion: Music as an important component of social work
Music plays a central role in the well-being of residents, clients and staff in social care facilities. With the right strategy, the Fees for social facilities without sacrificing high-quality music. GEMA-free alternatives not only offer financial benefits, but also greater flexibility and planning security.
sonicsense supports social organisations in finding the optimum balance between costs and quality - be it through GEMA-free premium channels or through professional GEMA administration with conventional music.
Request personalised advice and discover the possibilities for your interior.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about fees for social institutions
Do all social organisations have to pay GEMA fees?
Only if copyrighted music is used publicly. There are no fees for purely private use or GEMA-free music.
How high are the licence fees for social institutions?
Public welfare organisations pay a flat rate of 6.12 euros per establishment per month, regardless of the number of employees.
What discounts are available for GEMA fees?
Social organisations may receive a discount of up to 15 % for cultural and social events and 10 % for charity events.
Is GEMA-free music really free of charge?
No, GEMA-free does not mean free of charge. The rights of use must still be purchased, but are usually significantly cheaper than GEMA fees.
How can sonicsense help to reduce costs?
GEMA-free premium channels allow up to 100 % of the GEMA costs can be saved. In addition, sonicsense offers professional GEMA administration and tariff optimisation.
